Rep. Ami Wazlawik, DFL-White Bear, announced she will not seek reelection in 2022. Photo: Minnesota House
State Rep. Ami Wazlawik, DFL-White Bear, will not seek reelection in 2022, she announced Wednesday.
Wazlawik, a child care professional, was first elected in 2018.
With the seat open, flipping district 38B will likely be a top priority for Republicans seeking to regain a majority in the state House next year. Wazlawik beat out Republican candidates by less than one percentage point in both 2018 and 2020, winning election last year by 100 votes. President Joe Biden won the district with 52% of the vote over Donald Trump’s 45%.
“After a great deal of consideration, I have decided to explore other professional opportunities instead of running for reelection,” Wazlawik said in a statement. “I plan to continue fighting for our community and to make the most of my final year in the Legislature.”
Wazlawik served as vice chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee during the 2021 session. She authored legislation to restrict uses of a carcinogenic chemical called trichloroethylene in 2020 after the state found that Water Gremlin, a manufacturer in her district, had released dangerous levels of the chemical in violation of state law for years.
Wazlawik also introduced a bill to ban the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — also known as PFAS — in food packaging, which was signed into law.
Until 2018 the district was represented by Matt Dean, a conservative stalwart who ran an unsuccessful race for governor that year.
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